FM urges withdrawal of Zionist forces from Gaza

Tehran, Jan 18, IRNA - Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here on Sunday underscored the need for urgent withdrawal of Zionist forces from the occupied Gaza.

On the unilateral ceasefire, he said making such a decision by the
political and military leaders of the Zionist regime is an indication
of the failure of the regime in attaining its pre-announced objectives
and the victory of the resistance movement of the brave people of Gaza
against the Tel Aviv Army in the past 22 days.

Asking the Zionist forces to leave the Gaza Strip, Mottaki told IRNA
that cessation of air, ground and sea attacks against the defenseless
people in Gaza without withdrawal of forces from the area is not
sufficient for cessation of conflicts.

"The forces should leave the occupied areas in Gaza, otherwise, there
would be no guarantee for cessation of conflicts," the Iranian foreign
minister reiterated.

He added that opening of the crossings along with withdrawal of
Zionist forces would pave the way for establishment of tranquility in
the region.

Gaza enjoyed the first bomb-free night in three weeks on Sunday after
Israel halted its attacks on the Gaza Strip which killed more than
1,200 Palestinians and left large parts of the impoverished enclave in
ruins.